As more solo-commuters have moved into the express pay lanes designed to quickly move traffic on Los Angeles's congested freeway system, speeds have dropped and L.A. Metro officials are looking to pricing disincentives to speed things up again.
Express Lanes on the 110 and 10 freeways have become clogged with solo-commuters, resulting in a drop in speed that potentially jeopardizes federal funding. Steve Scauzillo of the San Gabriel Valley Tribune reports that L.A. County Metro officials are now looking at raising prices further to disincentivize use of the Express Lanes during the most congested periods. However, Metro Board members confused by the dynamic pricing strategy aren’t convinced that raising prices will result in faster moving traffic.
The new pricing raises the maximum from $1.40 to $1.50 per mile but only on congested segments and not when delays are caused by road work or an accident. [Shahrzad Amiri, Metro’s executive officer] couldn’t say exactly how much more solo commuters would pay, but said Metro only could raise peak tolls 30 cents more per year. “The current maximum price ... does not appear to be enough of a disincentive for toll-paying customers to choose not to enter the ExpressLanes,” she wrote in a report to the board.
FULL STORY: 110, 10 Freeway ExpressLanes are slowing down and officials aren’t sure of the fix
Congestion Pricing Could Be Coming to L.A.
The infamously car-centric city is weighing a proposed congestion pricing pilot program to reduce traffic and encourage public transit use.
About Those $40 Charges on Virginia's I-66
The peak tolls achieved during the first week of operation of the new HOT lanes on I-66 in Virginia raised eyebrows this week. Here's a closer look at the data behind the new system.
It’s Time to Embrace Congestion Pricing
Charging based on demand and for access is commonplace—except on roads.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie